Music

Music is the heartbeat of New Orleans. Historically, music traveling in the streets began in the late 1800s, a claim that can be made by no other American city.

Virtually every night dozens of clubs, all over town, offer live music that can range from average to extraordinary. Whatever you do, go out and experience the nightlife, hear some music and catch the vibe. Imagine, this is just a short list of the full array of music venues.

Music Stores

Louisiana Music Factory, Marigny (free performances)

Peaches Records, Uptown, (free performances)

Bourbon Street Clubs

Mostly, Bourbon Street offers an open-air fraternity party except for a few remaining clubs worth your time to explore. Keep in mind it’s not necessary to have a “hurricane” or a “big-ass” beer. Since every bar offers paper cups, order something special at a good cocktail lounge and ask for a “go-cup”.

Jazz Playhouse is in the Royal Sonesta Hotel
Preferred seating $20. Non-reserved, no cover charge (Brass-a-Holics every Thursday)

Fritzel’s Jazz Pub
Known for traditional New Orleans jazz, no cover charge

Preservation Hall

Frenchmen Street

Eleven music clubs located on Frenchmen Street within three short blocks. You will find “your place” on Frenchmen Street.

13 Monaghan

30/90

Bamboula’s (mostly Blues)

Spotted Cat 

Blue Nile

Café Negril

d.b.a.

Snug Harbor

The Maison

Frenchmen Hotel

Bayou Bar, in the Pontchartrain Hotel  (greatest jazz ever during the week)

Favorites Around Town

Chickie Wah Wah closed for the summer of 2022
Popular intimate club on Canal St.

Tipitina’s  (various genres, standing concert style)

Broadside

Maple Leaf Bar (NO style music, Rebirth Brass on Tuesdays)

Bullet’s Sports Bar (great music, reasonable drinks)

Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar (smoking bar with good jazz)

Siberia Lounge (punk music/bands and Slovenian soul food)

Kermit’s Mother-in-Law Lounge (Kermit cooks and plays his trumpet)

Howlin’ Wolf (expansive venue, Home of Hot 8 Brass)

Good Friends Bar (laid-back, neighborhood gay bar)

Vaughan’s Lounge (soul, spirit love and amazing music)

Finn McCool's Irish Pub (good sports bar, especially soccer, trivia night)